HB3338

SECTION 1. (a) There is established the education reform task force to review the development and implementation of the weighted student formula established by Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, used to allocate funds among the public schools. The task force shall be attached to the department of education for administrative purposes.

The task force shall:

(1) Investigate the progress of schools in transitioning to weighted student formula funding;

(2) Determine whether there is a need to provide further financial assistance to schools transitioning to weighted student formula funding;

(3) Review the latest weighted student formula adopted by the board of education pursuant to section 302A-1303.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including the student characteristics that are weighted and other factors used in determining the formula;

(4) Evaluate whether the latest weighted student formula sufficiently provides an equitable allocation of funds among the public schools, including an evaluation of the impacts of the formula on funding for smaller, rural schools, and whether changes to the formula should be made in light of these considerations;

(5) Identify issues and concerns, if any, relating to the development or implementation of the weighted student formula;

(6) Develop and propose solutions to address the issues and concerns identified in paragraph (5); and

(7) Investigate any other consideration regarding weighted student formula funding as deemed necessary by the task force.

(b) The task force shall consist of the following members or their respective designees:

(1) The chairperson of the House committee on education;

(2) The chairperson of the Senate committee on education;

(3) The superintendent of education;

(4) The chairperson of the board of education;

(5) The dean of the University of Hawaii college of education;

(6) A representative from the Hawaii State Teachers Association;

(7) Six representatives from school community councils created under section 302A-1124, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as selected by the superintendent of education; and

(8) A representative from the Hawaii Business Roundtable.

The members of the task force shall select the chairperson of the task force from among themselves.

(c) Members of the education reform task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(d) The department of education shall provide support services necessary to assist the task force in achieving its responsibilities under this Act.

(e) The task force shall submit to the legislature a report on the task force's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.

(f) The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2009.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the operations of the education reform task force.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3338
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII